The shopping center industry plans to seriously weigh in on Amendment 4, the upcoming statewide referendum once known as Hometown Democracy that would require voter approval of virtually every land use plan change statewide.

The Florida unit of the International Council of Shopping Centers set a goal of raising $500,000 to help bankroll a $15 million campaign war chest being mustered for a coalition of business groups arming to fight the initiative on the Nov. 2 ballot.

Ryan Houck, director of Citizens for Lower Taxes and a Strong Economy, said his coalition, which is leading the opposition to Amendment 4, has not set a fundraising goal. But Oscar Rivera, Florida ICSC government relations chairman, minced few words asking 700 developers, leasing agents and landlords to pony up at an Idea Exchange in Tampa on Friday.